The 2 Tone sound was developed by young musicians (mostly in Coventry, West Midlands) who grew up hearing 1960s Jamaican music. They combined 1960s ska with contemporary punk and pop music. Bands considered part of the genre include: The Specials, The Selecter, The Beat, Madness, Bad Manners, and The Bodysnatchers.
The term 2 Tone was coined by Jerry Dammers of The Specials. Dammers, with the assistance of Horace Panter, also created the Walt Jabsco logo to represent the 2 Tone movement. It was based on an early album cover photo of Peter Tosh, and included an added black-and-white check pattern.
Blank Expression
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seven o'clock and the roads are blocked
So I walk downtown
There's no-one around
I walk in a bar and immediately
I sense danger
You look at me girl, as if I was some kind of a
A total stranger
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
The streets are dark, and there's no
One about
I wander home and all the
The lights are out, I keep wondering
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
Where did you get that blank
Expression on your face?
Where did you get that blank
Expression on your face?
Where did you get that blank
Expression on your face...
The Specials' song "Blank Expression" is a poignant reflection on loneliness and isolation in a crowded city. The song's opening lines paint a wintery scene of snow falling and blocked roads, creating a sense of desolation and uncertainty. The singer decides to venture out to downtown, hoping to find some company, but instead finds himself in a bar full of people yet still feeling alone.
He notices a girl giving him a blank stare, as if he were a total stranger, which emphasizes the emptiness and disconnection he feels. As the night goes on, the streets become even darker and the singer is left to wander home with all the lights out, feeling lost and helpless.
The repeated chorus of "Where did you get that blank expression on your face?" creates a haunting echo that emphasizes the singer's sense of alienation and highlights the disconnect between individuals in a big city. The song's overall tone is one of sadness and desperation, as it portrays the emptiness and isolation that can result from living in a bustling, crowded environment.
Line by Line Meaning
Snow is falling all around
The weather is bad and snowy, making it hard to navigate the roads.
Seven o'clock and the roads are blocked
The time is 7:00 pm, and the roads are inaccessible due to the snowstorm.
So I walk downtown
Despite the harsh weather and roadblocks, the singer makes his way to the city center.
There's no-one around
The downtown area is strangely deserted and empty.
I walk in a bar and immediately
Upon entering a bar, the artist senses danger or trouble.
I sense danger
The singer detects a feeling of danger or risk in his surroundings.
You look at me girl, as if I was some kind of a
A woman in the bar looks at the singer with suspicion or mistrust.
A total stranger
The artist believes the woman is treating him like he is completely unfamiliar to her.
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
The artist asks the woman where she obtained her emotionless facial expression.
Expression on your face?
He is confused and questioning the lack of emotions on her face.
The streets are dark, and there's no
As the singer walks home, the streets are dimly lit and empty.
One about
There is nobody around in the area he is walking.
I wander home and all the
The singer head back to his house, still bothered by the woman's expression.
The lights are out, I keep wondering
Upon arriving home, the singer notices the darkness and continues to ponder the woman's face.
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
The singer again questions the woman's emotionless facial expression, unable to shake it from his mind.
Expression on your face?
He is still trying to understand why the woman had such a blank expression on her face.
Where did you get that blank
The artist is asking where this expression came from and is puzzled by it.
Expression on your face?
He is unable to let go of the woman's expression and is still searching for an explanation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Jerry Dammers, John Bradbury, Lynval Golding, Neville Staples, Roderick Byers, Stephen Panter, Terry Hall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@coyoteserranoband
Snow is falling all around
Seven o'clock and the roads are blocked
So I walk downtown
There's no-one around
I walk in a bar and immediately
I sense danger
You look at me girl, as if I was some kind of a
A total stranger
Expression on your face?
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
The streets are dark, and there's no
One about
I wander home and all the
The lights are out, I keep wondering
Expression on your face?
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
Where did you get that blank
Expression on your face?
Where did you get that blank
Expression on your face?
Where did you get that blank
Expression on your face...
@matt01506
One of my favourites . Thank you Terry for giving us an amazing soundtrack to our youth. R.I.P
@Kaupovski
RIP Terry Hall. Thanks for all the great music.
@madave2
Rest in peace Terry. Such a sad loss to everyone. The voice of a generation who's lyrics still ring true today....
@eleanorsopwith9806
Thank you Terry Hall. Your music will live on!
@Trico_97
RIP Terry Hall, one of the greatest
@MarkSmith-sd3ne
The Specials first album has to be the best debut album ever. All songs were top quality & summed up the world we were living in back then. Went to their concert in Camden last week & thought the lyrics still ring true. Nothing has changed much...
@MsVintage61
agreed
@moirawalsh1200
l
@nickwhite27261
Went last Saturday down in Brighton, bloody brilliant & yes, the lyrics still ring true, over 40 years on.....!!!
@robertmarwick2247
Yippee